Stop Wasting Public Money on Wanton Destruction of the Tara-Skryne Valley

meath | history and heritage | feature Monday July 18, 2005 01:25 by redjade

'The Minister of Environment has shown that he is no such thing. We have no Minister for Heritage.'

Hill of Tara (top) clearly visible from M3 construction site in the the Tara-Skryne Valley

More Tara News: *Co Meath Sinn Féin County Cllr. Joe Reilly (SF) On The M3 Interchange / Debate On Campaign Tactics *Indymedia Tara Archive *Upcoming Tara Related Protests

''Further photographs taken Saturday July 16th show more caterpillar marks on the 15 foot high topsoil grinding down any possible finds that might emerge. The large digger on site has been replaced by a much smaller one but the marks of the caterpillar wheels clearly show that they were caused by a much larger machine. The test trenching report stated that there was an expected “19 century (?) house” on this site and this is carefully marked out on site. But this is not to say that other materials are not hidden in the topsoil of what is recognised as one of the richest archaeological landscapes in Europe.

Most archaeologists agree that 50%-80% of artefacts are found in the topsoil. If another Derry na Flann chalice or a Tara brooch appears there is not much hope of finding it crushed beneath one of these monster machines.

The Minister of Environment has shown that he is no such thing. We have no Minister for Heritage. The Ministry that M.D Higgins so carefully built up has been destroyed, Dúchas is dismantled and the NRA is given responsibility for archaeology. The same NRA along with Meath County Council are completely insensitive to the concerns of the local people over the methodology employed here. Where is the Research Documentation that should accompany such a dig?

Public money is being wasted on this unnecessary excavation. This is not proper research archaeology. This is wanton destruction and vandalism of our most important archaeological, literary, historical and sacred landscape and it must be stopped now.''

'The photographs printed and others that have been taken since bear witness to the fact that no care is being taken of the topsoil that is being lifted by diggers and then has caterpillar wheel marks all over it. One photo shows a bone lying carelessly on the ground.'

The Save the TaraSkryne Valley Group is horrified at the recent commencement of so-called “archaeological” digging at Philpotstown/Blundelstown at the foot of Tara’s hill. Recent photographs in the newspapers show that the top of the Hill is clearly visible from this area. This directly contradicts the Taoiseach’s opinion that he could not see the Hill from the route of the proposed M3. These photographs clearly show that the top of the hill is only some fields away from the location of the proposed interchange. The coffee shop and church are clearly visible.

Minister Roche recently accused us and other opponents of telling “untruths” and of “a lack of open-mindedness” (Meath Chronicle published June 22nd 2005). The Minister also declared himself “astonished at their attitude and lack of respect of other people’s point of view” and criticised an inability to see any “argument but their own”. Perhaps the Minister should consider his own “lack of respect” in disregarding the STSV campaign, the experts, 320 academics worldwide and the Director of the National Museum, who all asked him to re-consider the route. The Route Selection Report and the initial archaeological reports also warned against this route. Indeed, the new CEO of the NRA, Fred Barry, told my colleague Dr Edel Bhreathnach that if the selection were taking place today this route would never have been considered. If it is wrong now, it was wrong in the years 2000-03. He also said that if the Government asked them to move the road that it would be awkward but that they would have to do it. It is the Minister and the Government who are not “open-minded” are airing “untruths” and are showing a “lack of respect”.

The Government has the power to move this motorway. Why are they insisting on this particular route? Is Blunderstown, sorry, Blundelstown the key? Is it so that all traffic can be funnelled into this interchange thus ensuring that no one can escape the tolls? The insistence on this particular route is just downright sinister.

This Minister also stated: ”I am satisfied that the directions I have issued will ensure best practice in the carrying out of the archaeological work … They will protect heritage.” But Pat Wallace of the National Museum stated in his letter to the Minister regarding excavators: “The chances of retrieving archaeological objects in the face of heavy machinery of this sort are … very limited indeed.”

The photographs printed and others that have been taken since bear witness to the fact that no care is being taken of the topsoil that is being lifted by diggers and then has caterpillar wheel marks all over it. One photo shows a bone lying carelessly on the ground.

Minister Roche also promised to stop all development in the Tara-Skryne Valley. His assurances as regard proper archaeological practice have come to nothing so how can we believe his empty promises as regards development?

Further photographs taken Saturday July 16th show more caterpillar marks on the 15 foot high topsoil grinding down any possible finds that might emerge. The large digger on site has been replaced by a much smaller one but the marks of the caterpillar wheels clearly show that they were caused by a much larger machine. The test trenching report stated that there was an expected “19 century (?) house” on this site and this is carefully marked out on site. But this is not to say that other materials are not hidden in the topsoil of what is recognised as one of the richest archaeological landscapes in Europe.

Most archaeologists agree that 50%-80% of artefacts are found in the topsoil. If another Derry na Flann chalice or a Tara brooch appears there is not much hope of finding it crushed beneath one of these monster machines.

The Minister of Environment has shown that he is no such thing. We have no Minister for Heritage. The Ministry that M.D Higgins so carefully built up has been destroyed, Dúchas is dismantled and the NRA is given responsibility for archaeology. The same NRA along with Meath County Council are completely insensitive to the concerns of the local people over the methodology employed here. Where is the Research Documentation that should accompany such a dig?

Public money is being wasted on this unnecessary excavation. This is not proper research archaeology. This is wanton destruction and vandalism of our most important archaeological, literary, historical and sacred landscape and it must be stopped now.

Muireann Ní Bhrolcháin
PRO of
Save the TaraSkryne Valley Group
http://taraskryne.org
087-9249510